The Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO) is pleased to announce the launch of the second children’s book authored by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Titled ‘The Journey From the Desert to the Stars’, the launch took place aboard the International Space Station (ISS), a fitting stage that echoes a recurrent theme in the book – the UAE’s journey from modest beginnings to stellar heights. Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi marked the occasion by reading select passages from the book.
The five stories in the book form a poignant memoir of key moments in the UAE’s remarkable development journey. The stories show how the nation’s accomplishments mirror His Highness’s conviction that perseverance is the key to success. Within the pages of the book, His Highness also offers young readers a treasure trove of wisdom – the invaluable lessons gained from diverse experiences from his childhood and youth that shaped his values and outlook on life.
The book weaves together significant moments from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s life with landmark events in the history of the UAE. ‘The Journey From the Desert to the Stars’ provides young readers with a deep understanding of His Highness’s values such as loyalty, belonging, and service to the nation. It also illustrates how a vision can be transformed into national success and inspire generations of citizens to strive for excellence.
The Director General of GDMO, Her Excellency Mona Al Marri, noted that the book reflects His Highness’s deep commitment to cultivating a love of reading among the younger generation. His passion for promoting the reading habit is exemplified by a host of initiatives, most notably the ‘Arab Reading Challenge’, an event that features the participation of millions of avid young readers from the region and around the world.
The launch event coincides with the conclusion of Al Neyadi’s groundbreaking six-month mission to the ISS. The book’s unveiling aboard the ISS is a tribute to the realization of the vision for space exploration laid down by UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
GDMO partnered with local Emirati talent to produce the book. The book was published by the local publishing house Al Hudhud, a member of ‘Proudly from Dubai’, a network of promising Dubai-born businesses created by Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office. The book also features illustrations by Emirati artists Ali Kashwani and Ahmed Al Mansouri.